AFRICA HABITAT REVIEW

Editorial Board

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The Africa Habitat Review Journal strives to impart knowledge and facilitate exchange of ideas among stakeholders in the built environment to keep abreast of new technology, research and development so that they can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their services. Further, it is intended to enable both academicians and non-academicians in the built environment to publish, lobby and influence policy formulation. The Journal links theory and practice in the built environment within the Kenyan, regional and International context.

Content

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VOLUME 20 ISSUE 1 (APRIL, 2025)

CONTENT

VII Editorial
Prof. Robert W. Rukwaro

3116 Impact of Urban Traffic Congestion on Emissions along a Section of James Gichuru Road in Nairobi County, Kenya
Cyprian Dangi Kisimbo, Osano Simpson Nyambane and George Paul Matheri

3126 Adopting Feedback Loops to Enhance Performance in Construction Projects
Paul Muthoka Mutinda, James Okaka and Shadrack Mutungi Simon

3136 Sense of Place:
Concepts, Importance and Methods of Study
Edwin Oluoch K’oyoo

3148 The Management of Climate Change-Induced Flooding in Ziwa La Ng'ombe Informal Settlement, Mombasa County, Kenya
Floyce S. Namayi, Micah Makworo and Susan Kibue

Editorial

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EDITORIAL
Sense of a Place, Urban Transportation and Performance of Construction
Project
Welcome to the Twentieth Volume 1st Issue of the Africa Habitat Review-Journal of the Faculty of Built Environment and Design. This issue has presented critically analysed papers on issues relating urban traffic, construction project performance and sense of a place.

This article on Impact of Urban Traffic Congestion on Emissions along a Section of James Gichuru Road in Nairobi County, Kenya examines the impact of urban traffic congestion on air quality focusing on traffic volume and its emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5). Data collected revealed a strong correlation (r = 0.83) between traffic volume and emissions.
The regression analysis indicated that each additional vehicle per hour resulted in a 0.07 unit increase in emissions, a statistically significant finding with a p-value of less than .001. During peak hours, traffic reached as high as 2000 vehicles per hour, contributing to alarming CO levels of 10 ppm and PM2.5 concentrations of 90 μg/m³. In contrast, off-peak hours averaged around 750 vehicles per hour, leading to significantly lower emissions. These findings underscored the considerable influence of traffic volume on air pollution, highlighting the urgent need for effective urban planning and traffic management to enhance air quality and public health in rapidly urbanizing areas. The study therefore recommended that traffic volumes, which rise during school hours, highlight the necessity for safe walking and biking paths to promote non-motorized transportation. It also suggested encouraging flexible work hours to reduce travel demands and enhancing community awareness as additional traffic calming measures. Furthermore, advocating for remote learning for students and educators could significantly decrease daily commutes to schools and the associated emissions. Collectively, these insights offer practical recommendations for addressing traffic congestion and improving air quality in urban areas.

Adopting Feedback Loops to Enhance Performance in Construction Projects is an article that examines the adoption of feedback loops as a solution to enhance AHP performance by addressing these issues. Performance metrics such as project scope, cost, time, and community participation were assessed, with community involvement identified as the most critical factor for success. Despite moderate cost overruns (6-10%) and time delays, minimal reworks (74.2%) were observed, emphasizing the need for improved resource management. The study reveals that integrating feedback loops significantly improves performance, particularly in managing scope, cost, and time. Activities such as sourcing case studies, creating visual diagrams, validating insights, and adopting feedback mechanisms at every project stage are instrumental.
Feedback loops are most effectively implemented during construction for real-time adjustments, with the operations and maintenance phases benefiting from user feedback. A proposed framework prioritizes early community engagement, regular scope reviews, budget monitoring, and real-time progress tracking, fostering responsive project management and enhancing cost and time efficiency. While concerns about potential delays and resource wastage exist, the advantages—such as early problem identification, timely issue resolution, and stakeholder engagement—outweigh the drawbacks. Key recommendations include strengthening community engagement, providing training for project teams, utilizing technology for realtime
feedback, and integrating feedback loops into risk management plans. This article contributes to the understanding of feedback loop adoption in construction, offering a practical model to improve the performance of Kenya’s affordable housing sector and ensuring more effective and sustainable project outcomes.

This article on Sense of Place: Concepts, Importance and Methods of Study seeks to understand the discourse across disciplines interested in the place-people-process relationships. It aims to cover the key aspects in terms of components, importance and methods of investigation. This review was done by open access search for “sense of place” and within related literature of its sub-concepts. Findings reveal lack of clarity as different researches include different sub-dimensions as its components and employ different methods of investigation. Place attachment (PA), place identity (PI) and place dependence (PD), place meanings (PM), place satisfaction (PS) are the common dimensions. Many studies on sense of place have been done within neighborhoods and public spaces. The study recommends the need for standard and uniform dimensions, methods for its investigation across disciplines in order for built
environment professionals, other professions and policy makers to integrate the findings in place making.

This article on The Management of Climate Change-Induced Flooding in Ziwa La Ng'ombe Informal Settlement, Mombasa County, Kenya investigates the management of climate change-induced flooding in Ziwa la Ng'ombe informal settlement, leading to displacement and property damage during extreme weather
events. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from 158 household surveys with qualitative insights from key informant interviews. The study found that 78% of the respondents have noticed changes in rainfall patterns, with 59% reporting increased intensity and frequency. Poor drainage systems and inadequate waste management are identified as primary causes of flooding. Residents have undertaken individual measures such as creating small drainage channels and constructing flood barriers. However, institutional efforts appear to be lacking, with 85% of residents unaware of any formal flood management initiatives. Further investigation revealed that local NGO, KECOSCE, has established an early warning system such as SMS messages, radio broadcasts, and community meetings. Additionally, the Department of Housing also plays a vital role in regulating land use and enforcing zoning regulations. The effectiveness of these interventions appears limited, as evidenced by continued flooding and resident dissatisfaction. Based on these findings, the research recommends climate change induced flood management strategies, including upgraded infrastructure to improve drainage and waste management, community empowerment and participatory planning to ensure that flood management strategies are aligned with the needs and priorities of residents, and increased awareness of formal flood management initiatives to bridge
the gap between institutional efforts and community awareness in Ziwa la Ng'ombe informal settlement.

Robert Rukwaro
Editor-in-Chief
African Habitat Review
Faculty of the Built Environment and Design
University of Nairobi
Tel: +254-2729700
E-mail address: sobe.ahrjournal@gmail.com
rukwaro@uonbi.ac.ke

Impact of Urban Traffic Congestion on Emissions along a Section of James Gichuru Road in Nairobi County, Kenya

2025-03-14T09:21:50+00:00

This study examined the impact of urban traffic congestion on air quality focusing on traffic volume and its emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5). Data collected revealed a strong correlation (r = 0.83) between traffic volume and emissions. The regression analysis indicated that each additional vehicle per hour resulted in a 0.07 unit increase in emissions, a statistically significant finding with a p-value of less than .001. During peak hours, traffic reached as high as 2000 vehicles per hour, contributing to alarming CO levels of 10 ppm and PM2.5 concentrations of 90 µg/m³. In contrast, off-peak hours averaged around 750 vehicles per hour, leading to significantly lower emissions. These findings underscored the considerable influence of traffic volume on air pollution, highlighting the urgent need for effective urban planning and traffic management to enhance air quality and public health in rapidly urbanizing areas. The study therefore recommended that traffic volumes, which rise during school hours, highlight the necessity for safe walking and biking paths to promote non-motorized transportation. It also suggested encouraging flexible work hours to reduce travel demands and enhancing community awareness as additional traffic calming measures. Furthermore, advocating for remote learning for students and educators could significantly decrease daily commutes to schools and the associated emissions. Collectively, these insights offer practical recommendations for addressing traffic congestion and improving air quality in urban areas.

Adopting Feedback Loops to Enhance Performance in Construction Projects

2025-03-14T09:21:50+00:00

Affordable Housing Projects (AHP) in Kenya face persistent challenges, including scope creep, cost overruns, time delays, and inadequate community participation, which hinder their performance and sustainability. This study examines the adoption of feedback loops as a solution to enhance AHP performance by addressing these issues. Out of 80 survey respondents, 63 provided feedback (78.7%), and 7 out of 9 interview participants responded (77.8%), reflecting robust engagement. Performance metrics such as project scope, cost, time, and community participation were assessed, with community involvement identified as the most critical factor for success. Despite moderate cost overruns (6-10%) and time delays, minimal reworks (74.2%) were observed, emphasizing the need for improved resource management. The study reveals that integrating feedback loops significantly improves performance, particularly in managing scope, cost, and time. Activities such as sourcing case studies, creating visual diagrams, validating insights, and adopting feedback mechanisms at every project stage are instrumental. Feedback loops are most effectively implemented during construction for real-time adjustments, with the operations and maintenance phases benefiting from user feedback. A proposed framework prioritizes early community engagement, regular scope reviews, budget monitoring, and real-time progress tracking, fostering responsive project management and enhancing cost and time efficiency. While concerns about potential delays and resource wastage exist, the advantages—such as early problem identification, timely issue resolution, and stakeholder engagement—outweigh the drawbacks. Key recommendations include strengthening community engagement, providing training for project teams, utilizing technology for real-time feedback, and integrating feedback loops into risk management plans. This research contributes to the understanding of feedback loop adoption in construction, offering a practical model to improve the performance of Kenya’s affordable housing sector and ensuring more effective and sustainable project outcomes.

Sense of Place:

2025-03-14T09:21:50+00:00

Confusion and no standard way without clear constructs marks the study and analysis of sense of place (SOP). This article seeks to understand SOP discourse across disciplines interested in the place-people-process relationships. It aims to cover the key aspects in terms of components, importance and methods of investigation. This review was done by open access search for “sense of place” and within related literature of its sub-concepts. Findings reveal lack of clarity as different researches include different sub-dimensions as its components and employ different methods of investigation. Place attachment (PA), place identity (PI) and place dependence (PD), place meanings (PM), place satisfaction (PS) are the common dimensions. Many researches on SOP have been done within neighborhoods and public spaces. The study recommends the need for standard and uniform dimensions, methods for its investigation in order for built environment professionals, other professions and policy makers to integrate the findings in place making.

The Management of Climate Change-Induced Flooding in Ziwa La Ng'ombe Informal Settlement, Mombasa County, Kenya

2025-03-14T09:21:50+00:00

Climate change presents a significant challenge for residents of informal settlements worldwide, exacerbating vulnerabilities and threatening livelihoods. This study investigates the management of climate change-induced flooding in Ziwa la Ng'ombe informal settlement, leading to displacement and property damage during extreme weather events. Despite the growing body of literature on climate change adaptation in informal settlements, there remains a critical gap in understanding how these communities perceive and respond to flood management strategies within the context of rapid urbanization and limited resources. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from 158 household surveys with qualitative insights from key informant interviews. The study found that 78% of the respondents have noticed changes in rainfall patterns, with 59% reporting increased intensity and frequency. Poor drainage systems and inadequate waste management are identified as primary causes of flooding. Residents have undertaken individual measures such as creating small drainage channels and constructing flood barriers. However, institutional efforts appear to be lacking, with 85% of residents unaware of any formal flood management initiatives. Further investigation revealed that local NGO, KECOSCE, has established an early warning system such as SMS messages, radio broadcasts, and community meetings. Additionally, the Department of Housing also plays a vital role in regulating land use and enforcing zoning regulations. The effectiveness of these interventions appears limited, as evidenced by continued flooding and resident dissatisfaction. Based on these findings, the research proposes climate change induced flood management strategies, including upgraded infrastructure to improve drainage and waste management, community empowerment and participatory planning to ensure that flood management strategies are aligned with the needs and priorities of residents, and increased awareness of formal flood management initiatives to bridge the gap between institutional efforts and community awareness in Ziwa la Ng'ombe informal settlement.